Josephine Dorcia McKendrick Collins

1917-2013

Salt Lake City, Utah – Josephine Dorcia McKendrick Collins passed away peacefully on May 12, 2013 at the age of 96.

Josephine was born in Bountiful, Utah on May 11, 1917 to Robert and Lois Edith Clark McKendrick, the eighth of eleven children. “Josie” was a gifted ballet dancer who gave solo performances on the Salt Lake Theatre stage when she was just seven years old. She was elected as vice president of West High School, but instead, joined with Ruby Asquith as partners to Harold and Lew Christensen in their ballet troupe. They toured the U.S. on the R-K-O vaudeville circuit in 1933, and ended by performing in “The Great Waltz” on Broadway in 1934. They also danced with the American Ballet and Metropolitan Opera for two years.

She returned to Salt Lake and married Raymond C. Peacock , who served in the Air Force during WWII. Their marriage lasted ten years. She later met and was sealed to Archie Warren Collins in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 15, 1954. He passed away on February 16, 2003. Josie blessed, inspired and brought joy to the lives of others by sharing her time and talents with them, especially the young people.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Collins (Lane) Barrett, and her son, John McKendrick (Laurie) Collins; ten grandchildren; her brother, Richard McKendrick and loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 11:00 at the East Mill Creek 1st Ward, 2702 East Evergreen Avenue (3435 South) with a viewing one hour prior to the services. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful women at Evergreen Residential Care for the excellent service and attention our mother received from them and Hospice for Utah.